Progressive staying mare Kattegat is expected to return to top form at Otaki on Thursday. 

The daughter of Redwood has been patiently handled and another major reward beckons the Shaun Fannin and Hazel Schofer-trained six-year-old in the Wheelhouse Sports Bar Horowhenua Christmas Cup (2100m). 

Kattegat was an Ellerslie winner two runs back before she was a beaten favourite at Trentham, where she finished midfield from the ace draw, but there is confidence in the camp that she can turn her form around. 

“Barrier one doesn’t really work for her and tends to let herself down when she gets back on the rail among other horses,” Schofer said. 

“She’s a lot better on the outside and coming wide with a clear run, nothing went her way and we would expect her to bounce back on Thursday. 

“She came through Trentham really well and we think this is a winnable race for her.” 

Kattegat’s staying talent was to have been showcased on a bigger stage last month before an untimely mishap in the lead into the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup (3200m) 

“She got to Riccarton and unfortunately kicked the box the night she arrived so that was disappointing,” Schofer said. 

The stable has given thought to a start in the Gr.3 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) but have had a rethink. 

“The idea was to go there, but she has been to Trentham three times and hasn’t really performed in any of them,” Schofer said. 

“We’ll probably look to get her back up to Ellerslie for a staying race at some stage, but there’s nothing really set in concrete. 

“There is a Rating 75 on Auckland Cup Day and that is something we might look at for her if she doesn’t get too high in the points.” 

A three-time winner from 14 starts, Kattegat will be partnered by Jonathan Riddell who will also be on stablemate Grahams Pride in the Riverside Construction Maiden (1600m) while Kate Hercock will ride Linara in the Paint It Couloursmart Maiden (1400m). 

“They have both got good draws so we would be expecting them to be putting on good shows,” Schofer said. 

Savabeel gelding Grahams Pride has placed twice in three outings and will be making a fresh start and Lonhro four-year-old Linara is also in good touch. 

“Grahams Pride trialled up really well, whether the mile finds him out first-up I don’t know but we still expect him to run really well,” Schofer said. 

“Linara was a really good second last time out at Otaki where he was probably run off his feet a little bit over 1200m so the 1400 looks ideal for him.”